...Dining Out: Restaurant grows from simple grill
Monkey Bar focuses on steaks, seafood
By Terry Brady • tbrady@news-press.com • March 5, 2010
Since Claudia Garcia and Nico Bogert bought Monkey Bar & Steakhouse four years ago, they've buffed up the menu, remodeled their indoor dining area, and have both heaters and misters to battle the elements in their large outdoor dining area, which is covered and equipped with a large wraparound bar.
"When we bought this place it was just a grill," Bogert said.
Their menu, which has more than 50 items, includes everything from prime rib to fresh local blue crab.
"Steak and seafood is our specialty," Garcia said.
The restaurant seats more than 150, mostly outside. In addition to its seafood and steaks, the restaurant is also known for its soup. Last month, their gumbo took first place at the Shell Factory's Gumbofest competition.
"We're kind of a hidden gem," Bogert said. "People are pleasantly surprised when they eat here."
Monkey Bar is a skip off the beaten path, on Lafayette Street a block south of Cape Coral Parkway. Bogert compared his quality of steak to that of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, but he said his eatery has a better atmosphere.
"It's a fun, family oriented establishment," Garcia said. "We try to keep it low key, casual."
Menu items range from about $6 to $25. One of the eatery's more popular seafood items, which Bogert said is impossible to find in this area, is the blackened grouper panini served with sliced tomatoes, balsamic mayo and provolone cheese and served on a sun-dried tomato focaccia bread.
Appetizers go past run-of-the-mill bar finger foods with items such as escargot, Asian chicken spring rolls and oyster Rockefeller.
Monkey Bar offers a happy hour from the time it opens until 8 p.m. seven days a week. Happy hour means half price house wine, drafts, well drinks and appetizers.
Monkey Bar also has live entertainment seven nights a week.
"We like it here," said Linda Mueller of Cape Coral, who just started frequenting the restaurant with her husband, Frank. "We usually come here for a drink after work. We come to unwind and relax."
Frank and Linda Mueller talk at the bar after work at the Monkey Bar & Steakhouse.Claudia Garcia and Nico Bogert bought the restaurant four years ago. The menu has more than 50 items, including prime rib and fresh, local blue crab. (Terry Brady/news-press.com)
